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Thursday, November 7, 2013

We decided that for Jake's birthday party we would invite a lot of people, pray for good weather, and host his festivities at a park with a covered area. We reserved Wallace Park in northwest Portland and got a beautiful October day to celebrate. Jake loves trucks, especially the loud ones so we chose that for his theme. I found plates and napkins at an online party store with all primary colors. With the help of Michael's and the Dollar store I put together gift bags for all of the kids. Those turned out to be a big hit so I am glad I did that. I made cupcake toppers with some cute paper and stickers I found on Amazon that matched the plates. I bought a banner off of Etsy (glad there are creative Moms out there.) We served all finger food, cupcakes and amazing iced truck cookies baked a decorated by a Mom too! Turns out I had WAY TOO MUCH food and drinks and people don't really eat at kid's parties that are at 3pm, but oh well. Brian and I enjoyed cupcakes for the next several nights and I was able to give a lot away.

Jake wore a "ONE" t-shirt with a dump truck on it that I got on Etsy as well. (Can you tell I am addicted to other people's craftiness?)

Jake fell asleep on the way to his own party so he was a little shy when he got there, but he warmed up quickly and enjoyed time with all of his friends and family. When it came time for a cupcake I gave him Vanilla, next year we will do chocolate for sure. He really didn't care for the frosting, but it was a little hard so I think that was probably the problem. He did a good job on the cake portion though. It was a great day and we feel very lucky to have so many close friends and family who love our little nugget too. We know some of the best kind of people around and Jake's birthday was such a great excuse to have a few laughs and beer in the park with all of them too!

Saturday, November 2, 2013

I can't help myself. A child changes SO MUCH over their first year of life. To see it first hand has been such an incredible and rewarding experience. We are over a year in at this point and I am STILL grateful every night that I get to spend my days with Jake. I can say without any question, I haven't missed a single thing in his first year. Here is Jake in our monthly pictures at One, Three, Six, Nine, and Twelve months old.

My heart is even more full than I ever could have imagined. I am not the person that I was a year ago. I am nicer, I am more loving, my heart is more tender, I cry easier, I am not quite as smart, I love harder, I laugh more, I worry less or at least different, I am more relaxed, I am more tired, and I am happier than I have ever been in my life. Brian and I are grateful everyday that Jake chose us to be his parents. This little person is our world and he will be forever.

One of my favorite photos from the day he was born and each of his 12 months.

The big birthday is finally upon us! I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. I am so glad I will have this journal to look back on to remember all of his exciting little milestones. We did something a little different with the chalkboard this time hoping that it would be more sustainable over the next several years (17 more to be exact.) While the year mark is a huge milestone, my thoughts and emotions on that are for another post. Here I want to be sure to capture Jake's 12th month because it was a big one in terms of his little personality developing more and more.

Jake is still a great little sleeper. He takes 2 naps a day most of the time still and his longer one is definitely in the morning. At night he is still asleep between 6:30 and 7pm and if he isn't overly tired that only routine is usually a breeze. Going into this month I was only nursing him once a day and that happened at night before bed. I did that for about 10 days and then Jake started boycotting one side. Honestly, I could understand, it was so small I think he probably got 5 drops of milk when he tried. :) So for about 3 days we only did one side and then one night he just looked at it with confusion (and maybe some disgust) and that was it. We read some books, sang some songs and off to bed we went. So now we still have the 3 B's - which were Bath, Boob, Bed...now are Bath, Books, Bed. I was sad that night, in fact it was hard for me to read him my story through my tears, but then it was ok. Jake did it on his terms and we really had a good run together. The quiet intimacy of nursing was what I ended up loving the most....as well as the pride in seeing those fat little thighs develop all because of what I gave him. Jake never had formula, there is nothing wrong with formula, but it was really important to me to breastfeed and we accomplished that goal.

So, from Mama's milk to Cow's milk and the transition was seamless. I had about 50 ounces of frozen milk still in the basement from when I pumped last spring and we went through that before we moved on. I quickly learned to love putting him in his high chair with his straw cup and having a chance to use the bathroom or something while he enjoyed some good old fashioned whole milk. He is still a great eater and is certainly finding ways to assert himself more at mealtimes. If he doesn't like what I bring out he will wait in his chair and stair at me in the kitchen until I bring out something else. I can't complain though, overall he continues to be a healthy and adventurous eater. Some of his favorite foods are any carbs - pancakes, pasta, waffles, toast - PB&J sandwiches, yogurt, hummus, any fruit, anything in the squash family and sweet potato. He also likes peas, but green beans are not his favorite. Cheese is good and avocado too. He just started eating from a bowl with his hands and enjoyed some chili this week. Great dinner, but bad diaper.

Jake pulls up to standing all the time and cruises along furniture easily. He walks on his toes often and stands at my legs or on a wall if he just wants to get up. He waves bye-bye and welcomes Papa with squeals of excitement every night when he gets home. He loves to push anything, but especially cars or push toys. We went to several indoor parks this month and Jake would spend the whole time with one toy, pushing a little car around on his knees. They are still a little too fast for him to walk behind. He loves the shutters and blinds, but Mama doesn't want him to pinch his fingers. He puts his hand to his mouth and chants, but it is the back of his hand, so cute. He also holds the phone to his ear when I say "hello, hello, hello", many times it is the back of his hand too. He loves peek-a-boo and that is almost always guaranteed a smile. He likes to stick his finger in mouths and touch teeth. He will ask to be picked up and point at the pens in the kitchen, grab one, then point at the calendar on the door so he can "write" on it like Mama does when we have appointments. He puts toys inside each other now which is so fun to watch. Probably the best trick he has this month is "Touchdown"...after 5 days of intense training with Mama and Papa, when you mention that special word, both arms fly up in the air. He is pretty proud of it and we will randomly get a touchdown now and then. Jake understands so many things that we say to him. He knows objects like "ball" and to throw it if we say. He opens his mouth when I say "show me what is in your mouth." He knows "no thank you" and he shakes his head when he gets close to something he isn't supposed to play with. He says "uh oh" and uses it in the right context. Basically, he is a genius, if you ask his Mama.

Jake loves his books. I will often find him quieting crawling to his book shelf or his basket of books downstairs and taking one out and turning through the pages. My favorite is when the book is upside down and he looks totally absorbed by the story.

I am anxious for Jake to walk, but I love watching him crawl. His little booty shakes back and forth and is just the cutest ever. I know he will still come to me and snuggle even after he starts walking, but I love when I get down on the floor with him and no matter what he is busy doing he will stop and crawl over up into my lap for a little visit and smash his little face into my leg, or my stomach, or my chest. I love this age, I have loved all the ages and all the seasons and stages. Watching him learn and discover and communicate everyday brings me more joy than I ever thought possible.
Happy Birthday sweet baby Jake.

About Me

I'm a new Mama. I'm a wife to my favorite person ever. Here you will find us eating, drinking, home improving, gardening, shopping, reading, running, or traveling. This is where our new adventure begins.